Family Time Continued

Posted on Thu Mar 5th, 2026 @ 2:11am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Jenna Ramthorne & Remal Kajun

1,601 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Beholder
Location: Celestial Temple / Captain's Quarters
Timeline: Pre - Well Fight in the Prison

Previously on...

" We have a plan, we just gotta keep them in the box long enough to enact said plan. That'll be the questionable part. We have reason to believe that they may be... aligning to escape" Rhenora chose her words carefully. " We have contingency plans, but they would not be without sacrifice"

"Sacrifice, huh? Sounds like a good time." Patin commented, her voice sounding almost nostalgic about missing out on all the fun. "Need any help from the God of Chaos and Boom?"

Before Rhenora could respond the Prophets circled her almost persistently menacing. The Rhenora must live. The Beholder must contain the VezdaPagh. A sacrifice must be made. It is as it always was.

---

The white void disappeared and Rhenora found herself back in their shared quarters, Remal's hand still intertwined within her own as though their tether had never been broken. There was another presence in the space, more a feeling than something tangible.

Rhenora lingered, eyes still closed and letting her mind reacquaint itself to the present in it's own time. She felt something different though, as though words were not said, things were not quite done. Someone else lingered. "You've not finished" She said simply, acknowledging whoever was there before slowly opening her eyes.

Patin was there, as if she was always there, though the edges of her frame were out of focus, fuzzy against the sharp lines of the Star Fleet interior decor. She looked smug, though her face reflected that of someone carrying an open wound. "Hey Noz."

Remal hearing her voice, opened his eyes and turned to face the 'ghost of Patin'. "Well. Hello."

"I didn't know you could leave the Temple" Rhenora smiled, unsure if she could hug her friend on this state or simple see her. She reached out a hand, unsurprised that it passed straight through the apparition. "You have more to say... or do... without them?" She asked, her words implying the Prophets.

"I've earned a certain amount of... well let's call it chaotic interference." Patin grinned then looked out the window at the stars beyond. "I don't always agree with their approach. And I definitely didn't like how they pushed you out without listening to you."

She looked back at Rhen and Remal. "They do that ya know? The give commands, don't listen and meddle while proclaiming they don't. It's maddening." She crossed her arms. "I've been trying to teach them, whatever good it may do, anyway." She brushed off her thoughts.

"I came to tell you something they refused to. I've seen a glimpse, several actually, of various timelines." She shook her head as if anticipating Rhen's question. "Don't ask me how, or why. Just know I've seen what happens if these Vezda things escape beyond the prison." There was a clear look of worry on Patin's face now. "It's worse than anyone can imagine, Nozz."

"So...no pressure or anything" Rhenora quipped, feeling the weight of the universe settle on her shoulders again. "We have a plan, do you see if it works or if we need more.... contingencies" and by contingency, she meant Captain Batel.

"I've seen you, hurting. The plan works, but it's not pretty, so on par I suppose." She released a sigh. "All I can say is that messing with energy on the scale you are planning, will not come easy. There will be death, though that bit is cloudy which always suggests the possibility of change. Shit..." She chuckled... "I'm starting to sound like them aren't I?"

Remal spoke up now, "Keep going Patin, you're doing fine. Any information you provide will be helpful in making decisions, I'm sure you know that."

She half smile, chuckled, more of a breath escaping despite not really having lungs, or air. "I know. I just want you to be safe and consider every angle. The Beholder was more than just a cap on a bottle. She was a Guardian, designed to hold the evils of the universe at bay. When the end comes, no explosion, no boomies are going to fix what is broken. And only the Guardian can make the choice."

"And if she chooses not to?" She knew the consequences then, there would be carnage on a level the universe had never yet seen.

There was a few moments as they all digested that pearl.

"So bottom line is that it's gonna get messy, but ultimately will succeed, at a cost"

"Maybe." Patin looked out the window again. "Just... stay safe, okay?" She held a nugget of sorrow in her voice. "If anyone needs a guardian angel, it's you Nozz."

"I've told her the same thing." Remal chimed in. "Though she always seems to find a way to get out of the trouble she surrounds herself with." This made him and Patin chuckle with mutual understanding.

"Aren't you my guardian angel? My guardian Prophet of Chaos and Boom?" Rhenora laughed in the dark tone of the conversation. "Risk is my job, I need to do this."

"I know." Patin turned and looked at Rhenora directly now, "When this mission is over, or somewhere down the line, come visit me will you? There's something I need to tell you."

"More to tell?" There was that wry smile again. "And pray tell how do I summon the Prophet of Chaos and Boom on a whim?" She asked.

"Oh, you remember that shrine in the Falkirk mountains? I've been visiting from time to time. Made a name for myself there I think." She was grinning broadly. "Just ring the gong a few times. That should be enough to get my attention. And don't believe their wild stories. I only did that once." She said without context.

Rhenora mused over this for a moment, realising that Patin could leave the temple from time to time. "When we're done here, I'll get some time to return to Bajor. I'll come to your temple and we can talk."

Patin reached out and her hand passed through Rhen's "I'd like that very much." Then she eyed Remal. "And you best keep her and that little one safe. If not I might just haunt you, Meatsack." She winked, but where her eyelid should have been, a tiny star filled galaxy resided.

"As risk is her job, caring for them is mine. No haunt will be necessary." He grinned. "I do hope to see you again."

" We will see you again, at the temple on Bajor. Give us time to sort this little crisis out and we will be there. No ifs or buts" Rhenora promised, hoping that it would be one she could keep. She intended to keep it, and to do that, they would succeed at Vadia IX.

Patin smiled a sort of chaotic smile, "I know you will. I've already seen it." She then glowed bright, filling the room with light before disappearing into nothing.

"Well, that was... different." Remal commented simply, adjusting. "Do all of your visits happen quite like this?"

Rhenora opened her eyes, taking a moment for them to adjust to the lighting. "I wouldn't go that far, this is the first time she had spoken privately, as though there's another agenda" she replied as she replayed the conversation in her mind.

"So, you got to talk with the Prophets? What did they have to tell you, or was Patin the delivery girl?" He prodded for more information since he had not been privileged to the initial conversation.

"I did, but in a weird ass kinda way" Rhenora replied, "which is not altogether uncommon, but this was different" she unraveled her legs and rose, standing stiffly on aching legs.

He grunted as he too stood up and stretched. Seeing the distant look in her eyes he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling his nose ridges up against her strong pagh ear. "I may never fully understand your relationship with the Prophets, or your choice in friends, but I firmly believe in you. Whatever happens, plan or no plan, I am certain you will come home to us at the end of the day." He spoke quietly into her shoulder.

She turned to face him, leaning into his warmth and letting it sooth her fears. He was comfort, safety, strength and union, to be held in his embrace forced out all doubt and all insecurity. For there, she simply was. Nothing to be, nothing to do, just be. It was blissful.

"I don't understand them either, and sometimes its more a curse than a blessing" she mumbled against his chest.

He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear so that he could see her in all of her tired glory, “Then let it be,” he said softly. His thumb brushed lightly along her cheek before he added, more practical now, “But whatever they hand you, you don’t have to carry it alone.”

He gave her a faint, crooked smile. “And if the Prophets expect perfection, they clearly haven’t met you before your first cup of coffee.”

That made her laugh, and she moved from his arms, letting her own drop by her side and failing to stifle a yawn. "Saving the universe can wait till tomorrow, let's go to bed"

"That sounds like the best idea I've heard all day. If you'd like I can even read Go'M'agh and the Targ the way I do for Patina, voices and all." He smiled broadly.

"That's a hard pass" She snorted as they headed for the bedroom. Tomorrow would be a challenging day indeed.

 

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